Spring-end connection



Jan. 13, 1931-. J. w. SMITH 1,789,277

SPRING END CQNNECTION Filed June 9, 1928 INVENTOR Patented Jan 13, 1931UNITED STATES i I JOHN w. SMITH, or NEW BRITAIN, comvnorioorr}ASSIGNORTornnraritin minim COMPANY, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION:OF' CO NN ECTICUT" I SPRIN G-EN D CONNECTION I 7 Application filed June9, 1928. se'riai vaesglao. i r

. My-invention relates to a spring end con? nection for connecting avehicle frame and spring.

It is an object of the invention to provide a spring and connectionwhich is simple in construction, easy and cheap tomanufacture,

' which may be readily assembled and disassembled. In general the objectis to provide an improved spring end connection for vehicles.

Briefly stated, in the preferred form ofthe invention I provide spacedapart bosses which may be part of a frame orspring, but are preferablyformed on a separate bracket to be attached to a frame or spring,preferably to the frame. The other member, as the spring, is providedwith bearing means, for example a pin, the ends of which may extend intothe spaced apart bosses. Antifriction bearing members, such as balls orrollers are interposed between the bearing members such as the pin endsand complementary members seated in said bosses. The complementarybearing raceways seated in the bosses are definitely spaced apart bymeans such as a shoulder portion within the bosses, so that when thebearing members in the bosses are forced up to the shoulders or otherabutments, the antifriction bearing members will be seated with therequisite tightness.

In the drawing I have shown, for illustrative purposes only, a preferredembodiment of the invention. The drawing illustrates an end view of thebracket or frame and spring connected together, parts being shown insection the better to illustrate the construction.

In said drawing, 5 indicates a bracket forming part of or to be securedto one member such as a vehicle frame, while 6 indicates the othermember to be connected (in this case the spring). The bracket 5 isprovided with spaced apart bosses 7-7 having seats such as 8 therein forthe reception of antifriction' bearing member raceway means,

which may be of any suitable form and'construction, such as the simplecups 9. The

' bearing seats 8 preferably constitute Connterbores leaving definiteabutments or shoulders as 10 against which the antifriction bearingmember raceways 9, or any means carrying such raceways may abut: Eachraceway 1 9 is held in place in its boss by a suitable means such asaplug ll'screw-threafded into 1 the boss. If de'siredany suitable typeof lock nut-12 maybe provided for preventing accidental wlthdra'wal ofthe plug 11.

In bearing cup" 9, I may 'provide an aperture therein into which atool'may be inserted to facilitate withdrawal of the cups. Normally,such an aperture would be closed by a plug 13 toprevent'the escape oflubricant with which the bearing cup is usually tilled.

The spring" 6 carries means, for example a pin 14 having projecting endswhich extend f into the bosses 7-7; I Antifri'ctioir bearingmembers-such as balls'1'5-15 are interposed between theprojecting endsof'the pin' l t and the raceways as 9 heldin t-he bosses 7.

In the form shown, the raceways of the pin 14: are formed directly uponthe ends olthe pin,'and the latter is secured in the spring eye by" anysuitable means' (not'shown), or by means of a shrink fit. A dust ring 16may be provided for excluding dustfrom' andre.

taining lubricant in-the bearing.

The bosses '77 may be provided with slots l7.l7 to permit the transverse"insertion of the pin 14 into the position shown.

In assemblingt-he device, the pin 14, together withthe spring end,maybe-moved up substantially to theposition 'shownin the drawing. Theraceways 9 are then inserted endwise over the pin ends and the plugs 11are screwed up so as to cause' the "bearing cups 9 to engage the bottomof the counterbore, that is," the shoulder 10. Thelock-ing means 12maythen be set up. y

All of the parts may be manufactured under factory supervisionpermitting interchangeability of parts. 'The distance? between'the.shoulders or abutments 10 in the two bosses 7 7 may bedefinit'ely fixed.By accurately makingtlie cups 99, the distances between the racewayswillbe definitely determined. The bearing member raceways on the pin14'or other bearing means carried by the spring may be definitelydetermined. Thus, when the device isassembled, for 6X- ample as shown inthe drawings, the antifricorder to permit ready'removal'ofthe tionbearing members will be seated on com- 1 plementary raceways with justthe desired tightness. Obviously, by making all parts the same, freeinterchangeability is possible, 5 thus making for quantity productionand cheapening costs. Y 7

\Vhile the -invention has, been described in considerable detail, I donot wish to be strictly limited to the form shown, since changes 10 maybe made within the scope of the inven 1 tion as defined intheappended=-claims.

I claim: a c v 1. In a spring end connection,'a bracket having spacedapart bosses thereon with aligned bores therein,'transverse flanges insaid bores and defining the bottoms thereof,

pin means to be secured to a spring and eX- tending beyond thesidesthereof and into said bores, said piumeanshaving bearing seats 0 formeddirectly thereon, bearing cups insertable axially into said bosses andover the seats on said pin means, antifriction bearing membersinterposed between said seats and bearing cups, securing means forholding said N bearing cups in said bores and inabuttingr relation withsaid transverse flanges to definitely space said bearing cups a singledefinite distance apart, the seats on said pin means being spaced asingle definite distance apart such that the antifriction bearingmembers engage said seats and cups with the desired fit, said bearingcups being immedil 'ately removable from. said bores upon release ofsaid securing means.

2; In a springend connection, a bracket having spaced apart bossesthereon qvith aligned boresthereim transverse flanges in said bores anddefining the bottoms thereof, pin means to be secured to a spring andex- 40 tending beyond the sides thereof and into i said bores, said pinmeans having bearing seats formed directly thereon, bearingcupsinsertable axially into said bosses and ever the seats on said pinmeans, antifriction beauing'members interposed between said seats andbearing cups, securing means for holding said bearing cups in, saidr bores and-in abutting relation with said transverse flanges todefinitely'space said bearing cups a'single definite distance apart, theseats on said pin means being spaced a single definite distance apartsuch that the antifriction hearing members engage said seats andcupswith r the desired fit, said bearingcups being "im- A med-iatelyremovable from said bores upon I release of said securing means, andmeans carried by said securing means" for5 holding the same in placerelatively to said bosses.

' JOHNNY; SMITH.

